Crafting to save my sanity.

01/08/2011

yoooohooooo!

J asked me how many readers I have. And I truly don't know! I mean, I can make an educated guess...sitemeter tells me a bit.

But I don't think it includes subscribers (in other words, those of you who get my blog posts in your inbox and then don't have to actually click on my blog).

Here's where you come in. Leave a comment on this post. Well, If you want to. I'm not going to force anyone. Ha!

Tell me how you found me, or what you are doing this weekend, ask me a question you'd like answered, give me a topic you'd like me to blog about... or anything at all. Just say hi, if you are so inclined!

I'm so excited to meet all of you. I truly have the best blog readers in the world...so many of you say you never comment b/c I could never possibly read them all, and that's not true!

I have my comments sent to my inbox and read each and every one of them.

And trust me, I need something to read on my iPhone when I'm feeding the babies all night long (sidenote: the iPhone has revolutionized nursing for me. HA!)

1285 Comments

Wow--I can't believe I'll be the first comment! I've been a blurker for a couple of years now. I've commented a few times-can't remember how I found you, but I scrapbook, too and enjoy photography. Love reading your updates and truly believe that if you were ever stationed in Maryland, we would be friends!

ok, sort of a lurker, just found you a week or two ago because of the jbs inspiration blog and now stop by frequently for a baby fix (my own kids are 29 and 22...no grandbabies in sight!!!) and to admire your artwork. but if i can keep you amused while nursing during the night, glad to help!! you seem to be juggling quite a bit and how you have time to scrap is beyond me, but perhaps like so many of us you find it gives you a little sanity among the madness of our lives....have a nice weekend!!

Hi Steph and bigs & littles!
I check your blog daily, so excited to see the little chicks grow. I found you through Paperclipping Roundtable and am so glad. If you remember I wrote to you before your move, am a nurse, and wished I could help after your delivery. But, you seem to be doing beautifully and are doing a great job coping with the new brood. Love seeing pics and your blogging! Keep up the wonderful peek into your life.

Hey Stephanie! Well I always pretty much leave you a comment on every single post, so you KNOW I am reading your blog! I just absolutely LOVE LOVE LOVE it! Love seeing the babies & the "big" girls too! THey just remind me so much of when mine were little and when I miss it I come here and smile!
I just really LOVE to see the everyday things you do, like pictures of the girls doing crafts would be fun! reading books, whatever it is they do on a daily basis, those are my favorite kinds of posts! I LOVED the last post you did about your day! that was so awesome!!! keep those coming! and of course I LOVE your scrappy posts!
xoxo
tara

I have been blurking for a few months now, can't remember how I came about your blog,I'm from Australia I scrapbook,sew and do alot of other craft. I have 3 girls and plain and simple I love reading your blog it is saved in my favorites as I don't have a typepad account.Your blog is one of the first I read every morning while I drink my coffee.Great reading great pictures and 4 adorable little girls what more could I ask for keep up the great blogging!!;D

Hey
I have been reading for several years and not sure how I found you but through some scrapbooking person. I think I got interested for many reasons, my dad and father-in-law both are retired military, I LOVE babies and reading about other people's everyday experiences and life. I am an everyday reader and infrequent commentor. You make me laugh and you are so positive about life, really admire you and Jimmy. Thanks for your openness and honesty!!!!

I don't remember how I found your blog - just glad I did! The littles are getting SO cute - they are rapidly changing. I just enjoy reading your posts and love, love, love the fact (even though you have absolutely no time) you post almost daily! Thank you!

I'm a follower and a checker. LOL! Met you thru 2peas. Hmmm....question, how do you do meals? I feel chaotic enough with 2 (7 and 3) and can't even imagine trying to cook meals (and get ideas for meals) with 4!

Hey lady, I was made aware of your blog when we reconnected on facebook.I LOVE reading your blog and watching your beautiful girls grow. I really hope we will see each other again. We all know how small the Army is. Take care of yourself, you are truly a blessed woman and Jimmy is a very blessed man not to mention how blessed your girls are to have you for their Mom. God is truly and AWESOME God!!!

I check your blog daily. My go to pick me up and laugh along with ya sista! Love ya Steph I first fell in love with you through Studio Calico and now you are my
Bookmark Favorite. Have a Great Weekend!

I found you on Twitter, because I'm a scrapper & all these people I follow kept messaging you. Also, I'm a twin mom, and we've gotta stick together. I totally feel you on the iPhone thing. Nursing my twins was when I fell in love with mine. Also: late night tv. Also: DVR. :)

I'm not totally sure when I first started reading your blog. I remember when you were pregnant with Sadie, so I know it was before that :) Love reading about your everday life with the bigs and now the littles.
Hope you guys have a super weekend!

I have no idea how I found you, but i am glad I did! I really enjoy reading your blog. I too love to scrapbook and love my kids amd family! I wish I had an iphone when I was nursing in the middle of the night, that would have been the best!

I'm a blurker for sure, love your scrap style and your family is adorable :) incidently was watching a TV show of top 100 youTube clips and there were some of kids dancing to music in cars that totally reminded me of the video you posted of Harper & Sadie a while back :) too funny!

I can't remember how I found you since I've been reading your blog for years now *lol* Just wanted to say that I love your scrapbooking style and your "realness" ;) Hope I'll be half as a good mum as you are someday!

I am a long time blurker. I found your blog through reading Studio Calico's blog. I found your blog around the time of your announcement you were pregnant with Lucy and Kate. Love reading your blog and I have been touched and encouraged in so many ways. I can feel God's love through your words. Love the photot's of your cute little one's and the way you write about each one. Yay for the iPhone! :-)

Hi Steph, I am a huge fan but never comment - found you just after you had your first little girl and have continued reading your blog on a daily basis..I love your blog because of your gorgeous designs but giving us an insight into a different life with your involvement with the army. Reading you from Melbourne, Australia. Have a fabulous weekend. Carolyne

Hello Steph! I found you through Elle's Studio blog during the Journaling class. I've been blurking off and on for about 5 months.Your little ones are simply adorable!!! I really enjoy your style of scrapbooking. I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Hi there! i have been following your blog for at least a year now. Love your scraptalk, your pics of junk from junking, and of course pics of the little ones. My oldest just finished college and moves to NYC and my youngest is in 9th grade and your little ones talk takes me back to a fun time. ahhh.
Lori R

Hi! I'm a subscriber and a blurker! Love your scrapbooking style and checking out your layouts old & new for inspiration. Always click to read your posts first when I see you've updated on my Google reader :)

Hello from here in New Zealand :) I found you thru Scrappin Patch during the Stars in their Eyes comp. I love reading your blog and seeing all the cute cute photos of your girls! Love your scraping style too, Im actually planning on lifting one of your pages for my next layout :)You are a huge inspiration, I can barely get out the door with one girl and you do it with 4!

hey lady! i've commented a time or two :) i have no idea where i found you! but i do remember hearing you on the PRT podcast and thinking i needed to check out your blog. so perhaps from there? i bought a big buddha purse after seeing yours (the yellow one with rosettes on it) and i remember feeling so special when you commented on one of my layouts in the studio calico gallery :) you're an inspiration, truly! such a fan of the blog and your crafting! please don't ever stop!

I've been reading your blog for at least a year. I do it on Google Reader though so I wouldn't be in any count here.
I got hooked because Harper reminds me SO MUCH of my daughter Taya who is 24. They look alike and have very similar personalities. I am reliving having her at that age through your wonderful blog. :-)

Hiya Steph, Gosh I dunno, it was longggggg time ago, right after you had Harper. I think I came upon you on a scrapbooking site & loved your work. I read your blog & the rest is history! hehe I wouldn't leave blurking your blog for the world!!!

BTW...You know what, I was just getting you a prego card in the mail & you had the twins! So I didn't mail it, just in case you're wondering, lol. But I'll be sending a different kind of card out for you one of these days!
hugs to all the girls!

I'm a blurker LOL. I think I came across your blog from a link on a friends. As well as your scrapping, I love reading about your life. You bring alot of love, humour and reality in your posts and I enjoy reading it.
TFS

Hi there from New Zealand....IM a lurker and I have been lurking for a few months now, I honestly cant remember how i found your blog but im pretty sure it was from another crafty sort of personal blog that i was looking at....sorry I read/lurk on so many blogs i foget where i started. Congratulations on the birth of your twins they are beautiful and being a twin myself I think twins are the best:) I would love to see more of your scrapbooking/craft space I love looking at other peoples rooms and craft space to pick up any new storage or tips for myself.

Hello, my name is Candice and I'm a blurker! Or maybe a bleeper (that's a blog creeper!) We met once in Anaheim at a 2Peas social. It was after you had Sadie and I told you that you were thinner in person than I'd thought you'd be. Talk about creeper! Ha! And I always tell my husband about your posts because they're so funny and so sweet! So maybe you should count him too!

I don't even remember how I found you. I've been reading since shortly after Sadie's birth. I don't even have a suggestion for something I'd like to see on here. I just love the blog how it is, I love that you show the imperfections, sometimes those are my favorite posts. I feel like I know you and your family and I love that. When asked three people I'd like to meet, you were one of the three.

i am a part lurker...i sometimes comment...depends how many updates are in google reader and how much time i have!!! eeeek!!!
i started reading your blog last year after you joined us in a compeition through Scrappin Patch NZ forum.... it was a fun and we got to scrap in your style.
since then with the babies coming etc etc... i have been hooked...i love your style (esp the SC kits... i want one!!!!) and your kiddos are so cute. (i am a kgtn teacher and former nanny- i HEART babies!!!).. love your work and i continue to love your style of scrapping..... xxx

Hi Steph! I guess I first "found" you at Studio Calico! :-) I love reading about your family, and your craftiness is an inspiration to me. Add in the fact that we're both Baylor grads, and I think that's darn cool. :-)

Hi Stephanie, I found your blog (I think) because someone picked it for their pick of the week on the Paperclipping Roundtable. Love reading your updates and seeing your layouts. I follow you on Twitter, too, and I admire your sense of humor and how you seem to be so upbeat even when you're sleep-deprived and overwhelmed. My iPhone revolutionized nursing for me, too!

Hi. I'm from Brisbane Australia. I can't remember where I stumbled onto you from. I think though I may have just fallen a little bit in love with you and your babies. All four of them. So. very. cute! I've blurked (oh sounds horrid) and sometimes I comment, for well over a year now. Wow. That's like almost a long term relationship! Shame you didn't know about it!! LOL. Oh and my question is - do they smell as delicious as they look?? Nothing sweeter than a fresh little baby to sniff and snuggle!

Hey Stephanie! I have commented but only a couple of times. I am a scrapbooker as well & we have a couple of other things in common....we share a birthday (same year, too, I think) and I have a daughter that is about a month older than Harper.

I started out reading your blog because I scrapbook but it quickly became my favorite blog. I love your outlook on life, your honesty & the way you are able to put things into words. Keep it up!

I found your blog through Cheryl's blog (The Scrapbook Shoppe in Columbus). I was so excited to meet you in person and welcome you to a new post when we briefly lived just down the street from each other (or up the street) at Ft. Benning. And yes, I would like to know your shoe size. (You said we could ask a question!) This weekend (Sunday) we are hosting the Commander's New Year's Reception (for 50) so I'm not sure why I think I have time to be on the computer right now when I'm supposed to be cleaning house. You "Around the House" blog posts are some of my favorite! Hugs!

Hi Stephanie! I have your blog set up in my Google reader. I love it because your scrapbooking style is divine. Love it. Also, because I live in a house loaded down by testosterone so it's fun to get my girlie fix by looking at your lovely pictures! :)

Hi! I think I found you on twitter a few weeks before your precious babes made their debut! Love reading...... You are like wonder mama with four girls :) I have an 11 month old girl and she runs me ragged :) we live in GA too.... Just north of ATL

You can add me to your tally. I use Google Reader, which is SOOOOOO wonderful, by the way.

I think I found your blog from Studio Calico. I lurked there for a long time before I subscribed, so a couple years now?

Since you got my to click on your real blog, I'll tell ya that I like your doily header!

I took care of my brother's twins from 4 months to 26 months. It was so exhausting, but I was lucky enough to get to go home every night and sleep and recover over the weekends. I cannot imagine doing it 24/7! Your laundry piles must be ASTOUNDING!

When people give you grief about having four girls, just say, "I thank god every day that I didn't have four BOYS." I have three boys and am barely clinging to my sanity. Did you know that they can construct a gun out of ANYTHING?

I found you just before Sadie was born when I clicked your blog link off of 2peas. I had seen some of your posts in The Pub and went from there. I subscribed to your blog because it's not just scrapbooking. I like hearing about your family and you make motherhood and life real. You're not afraid to post when you had a bad day or when your girls had a bad day either. You're in my top three blogs I get all giddy about when I see an update.

hello little mama I have been around for a while i used to pack kits for Tricia C in Oregon.i have been scrapen for 15 yrs,
I then got the SC kits and have been follow you.
my girls are 30, 27 and lost our middle daughter at 5,I loved having 3 girls, best time in my life,loss is very hard to get over well you don;t get over it you just have to get on and keep moving ahead,
you are a very strong woman my hope for you is that this move you are able to find good friends while you are there.
enjoy these babies they grow so fast the house work can wait,
hope that you are able to get a fix on just how many followers you have.
bless you
Lisa Hall
on the Oregon coast

Hii! I'm a reader, have been for ages and ages!
My name's Ruby, I'm 16 and live in Sydney, Australia!
I'd love to have a tour of your scrap area and how it's all set up right now. (don't clean it up for photos! that's cheating. ;P)- i'm fascinated by other's art spaces!
I hope you had a wonderful new years! xo

I'm not sure how I found your blog... but I really enjoy your down-to-earth real-life blogging style! My hubby and I live in Waco, I went to Baylor... and have gathered that you lived here too at one point!

Oh how I wish I had an iphone when my kids were in that middle of the night nursing age! They are now 7, 5, 4, and 2. The iPhone is the greatest thing in the world! Right now I am reading the bible in 90 days using my iPhone. It's so easy to use! I love your blog and find it so inspiring. I love seeing your pictures. You have the most adorable girls!

Hi Stephanie! I've been blurking you for a couple of months now. :) I knew about you from SC & other scrapping. I scrap too. I am now a stay at home mom (of one little chick)& love reading your blog. I am inspired by your honesty & your love for your kiddos. Congratulations on your twins - they are precious.

I'm here! and I am about to go get mexican food. This is not related to anything, or anything that you asked us to post. OH! yes it is, what I am doing this weekend. Currently watching The Good Guys with my Momma, and it is proving to be HILARIOUS! And THEN i am getting mexican and enjoying a LARGE margarita, I'll have a sip for you ;)

I saw that everyone else was leaving longer comments and I was just going to say HI, but wanted to join the cool kids. And so explains this ramble of a post!

Hi! I've been a "blurker" for about a year? before you were pregnant with the littles for sure! Anyway, I had read your blog because of Studio Calico, but subscribed to your blog after you were on Paperclipping Roundtable. I have 2 kids and my youngest I think is the same age as your oldest...so I give you a HUGE pat on the back for doing such an amazing job taking care of and loving your children the way you do! I love how you blog "real life" and not just some pretty picture of life. I loved the shirt story and the keys story, but I have to say my fave posts are those heartwarming pics of your husband with your little girls having tea parties,etc. My dad died when I was four, so those posts were really touching to me....give him a huge pat on the back, too! You guys are great parents, no doubt about it! Thanks for letting all of us blurkers along for the ride

I found your blog through http://studiocalico.typepad.com/ about a year ago. I immediately subscribed to all the designers on the blogroll...delivered to my google reader. I am a huge fan of your work and have enjoyed following the stories of (all 4 of!) the girls.

Hi, My name is Sherry and I found your blog through my niece Amy Alexander of Waco, Tx. I lived in Beaumont for 11 years and taught 3rd grade at Sallie Curtis Elem. in the late 1980s. We still have dear friends in Bmt. Now I'm a faithful reader, so enjoying your daily escapades! It brings back so many memories of raising our children (2 boys) and reminds me of how those same two "boys" have turned into daddies themselves. Rich and Shelby have the first little girl grandbaby for our family and J.P. and Summer gave us a precious preemie in July. The blog about Scarlette brings back all those experiences we were going through in Nashville for 90 days. Thank you for your blog. I'm trying to finish baby Jay's first year scrapbook now so should go get busy!!!

Hello Stephanie,
You've been on my google reader for more than a year! I discovered your talent on 2P's and then became enchanted when you were on Paperclipping. I just love your humour and your love for your family! Your girlies are just delicious.
I'm from Ottawa, Canada where I teach kindergarten.

Love your blog. Been following for quite a while now. Found you through SC and love hearing stories about your growing family, especially now that I am expecting my first and anticipating all that motherhood has in store. Thanks for sharing a glimpse into your life with the world.

I've followed your blog for a couple of years, but I dont usually comment, does that make a blurker?! I love your scrapbook pages, they are so inspiring :) Your little girls are all adorable, I cannot wait until I am a Mum. You do an incredible job! Love and best wishes from England! <3

you caught me, i'm a lurker.
i lurk because i am a cardmaker and not a scrapper, so although i greatly admire your work, i think i lurk because i crave your humor and witty posts! ;)
i also somewhat feel the army wife connection, as my husband is a blackhawk pilot and flew in OIF (Iraq) and was just recently deployed to Afghanistan, so i can totally relate to the single parenting while husband in war zone thing. i believe that i told you before that i admire your strength, courage, and positive outlook.
thanks for dragging me out of lurkdom ;) keep the witty posts and cute kid pics coming!!
hugs from Huntsville, Alabama ;)
~rae barthel

wanted to ask how you like living where you live my dream in my soul;from the time is was in the 5Th grade i have dreamed to live on the east coast
my family keeps me here on the west coast.i am 52 hope to have that dream come true someday.
again thanks
lisa Hall

Hi Stephanie!
I originally came over for scrapbooking inspiration but stayed because I fell in love with your writing style, honesty and your girls:) You are a strong woman and I admire how much you support J in his chosen line of work. I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have him gone for extended periods of time and I rejoice with you when he finally returns home. Thanks for blogging, you're an encouragement to me.
Yvonne (a Canadian, SAHM)

But I'm Briana, mom of 3 (Logan-age 8, Quinn age 6 and Olive age 3 on 1/22) I live in NH and I'm married to my high school sweetheart. This April we celebrate 16 years together, in July I will pass the point where I have been with him for more than half my life and in October we will celebrate 10 years of marriage.

hmmm...I'm not sure I remember how I officially found your blog. I know I started "stalking" your layouts on 2peas years ago. I've been a fan ever since. :0) p.s. let me know if you're running low on labels.
Aja

Hello there! I've commented a few times but tend to be more of a lurker too (feel so bad saying that!). I absolutely adore your blog! I'm a mama to two girls - 4 and 2 - and am expecting our third this summer. You are amazing! I'm continually inspired by your honesty and optimism. And on the days that I look at my house and see it scattered with toys, dishes and such but look over to see my two little girlies happy and having a ball, I think of you and smile. You help me keep it all in perspective :) Keep up the writing! Love it all!

I've been reading your blog for about a year and a half now and I've commented a couple of times. I'm not sure how I found you but I know it was because of a layout I saw from you. I love your scrapbook pages but your honesty about being a Mom, Military Wife and just life in general had me hooked on your posts. My Husband is in the Air Force and we have two wonderful little girls (6&4) so I felt a connection to what you say and feel. In three short weeks my hubby will be leaving for a one year remote for the first time ever and I often go back and read your post to help me remember that I'm not alone in what I'm feeling So thank you for sharing yourself and your family with us!!

Long time lurker, first time commenter! I don't remember exactly how I found your blog, it was one of those "follow the link" things where I was killing time by hopping from one crafty blog to another & when I landed here I loved your writing style & beautiful pages & cute kids & so I kept coming back. My life is pretty different to yours - I live on the other side of the world (New Zealand), married but no kids (not for lack of trying but you don't need all the tragic details). I work full-time as an accountant. I'm a card-maker, not yet a scrapbooker (I want to but I never seem to have any photos worth scrapping.). Just about to go back to work after nearly 3 weeks of summer holiday - that's going to be a shock to the system, I've got quite used to sleeping in to 9am but my alarm is going to go off in the morning at 5.30am! Hopefully I've rambled enough to keep you entertained through feeding time. Maybe I'll comment again one day! 'til then, thanks for sharing your positive attitude & fun stories about your life.

I don't always comment but I always read. I encountered you for the first time many moons ago on two peas when I mostly lurked under the name smither. I remember doing a happy mail swap with you and getting a little package with a sweet note from you. I love reading your blog for its honesty and reality and cute girlie pics!

Hey Stephanie! I'm pretty much a lurker and rarely ever comment, probably because I figure whatever I have to say has already been said by countless others.
But i do love your blog. it's one of my very favorite and I read each and every post. I love reading about your family, your babies, your relationship with J, and of course, your scrapbooking. Your posts almost always make me smile.
I took a trip in November to Georgia and i had to think about how close we were to you! Funny, right? i don't even know you personally but I thought about how fun it would be to stop in and see you or meet you somewhere. is that weird? Anyway, I often think that if I did meet you in real life that you'd be someone I would enjoy being friends with. I hope that doesn't sound stalkerish. I'm totally not a stalker!
Anyway, thanks for the great blog posts and what an inspiration you are to me.

hey steph! i've been a faithful follower for years(well 2 actually =) I've loved seeing the girlies grow up, reading about the funny things that you guys do, how you deal with deployments(it helps me deal with my tow boater husband being out to sea for months),the scrapy-ness =), the happy the sad, just everything really! you are a wonderful woman and even though i probably will never meet you in real life i'm glad that i got to meet you here on the internets! =))
lots of love!
xo

Hey Stephanie;
I've been following your blog for...hmm, almost 2 years now maybe? I found you through my friend Corilyn's blog, and have checked on it almost every day since! I love how you let us watch your kids grow up - your writing style and open-ness to talk about just about anything makes us blurkers feel like you are our friend. Thank you!!!